Energy efficiency trends and policies in Austria
Date: November 2015
Contact person:
Reinhard Jellinek, Austrian Energy Agency, Austria
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
1
The sole responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the authors. It does not necessarily
reflect the opinion of the European Communities. The European Commission is not responsible for
any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
2
TABLE OF CONTENT
FORMAT OF THE REPORT: PLEASE USE THE PROPOSED TEMPLATEFEHLER! TEXTMARKE NICHT DEFINIERT.
CONTENT OF THE REPORT ..................................................... FEHLER! TEXTMARKE NICHT DEFINIERT.
TABLE OF CONTENT ......................................................................................................................... 3
LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................................. 4
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................... 6
1.
ECONOMIC AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY CONTEXT ....................................................................... 7
1.1.
Economic context ........................................................................................................... 7
1.2.
Total Energy consumption and intensities ....................................................................... 8
1.3.
Energy efficiency policy background ............................................................................. 14
1.3.1.
2.
3.
4.
Energy efficiency targets ........................................................................................... 16
ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN BUILDINGS ........................................................................................ 18
2.1.
Energy efficiency trends ................................................................................................ 18
2.2.
Energy efficiency policies .............................................................................................. 22
ENERGY EFFIENCY IN TRANSPORT ......................................................................................... 24
3.1.
Energy efficiency trends ................................................................................................ 24
3.2.
Energy efficiency policies .............................................................................................. 30
ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN INDUSTRY ......................................................................................... 32
4.1.
Energy efficiency trends ................................................................................................ 32
4.2.
Energy efficiency policies .............................................................................................. 35
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
3
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2: Macroeconomic development (ESVG 2010) ............................................................................ 8
Figure 3: Final energy consumption by sector: 2000 – 2013. The figures for residential consumption
are adjusted for climatic influences. .............................................................................................. 9
Figure 4: Final energy consumption by energy: 2000 and 2013 ............................................................. 9
Figure 2: Index of primary and final energy intensity of the Austrian economy (climate corrected) ... 10
Figure 2: Final energy intensity (structural effect) ................................................................................ 11
Figure 7: Energy intensity in selected sectors from 2000 to 2013 ........................................................ 11
Figure 8: Index of primary and final energy intensity of the Austrian economy (climate corrected)... 12
Figure 9: Energy intensity in selected sectors from 2000 to 2013 ........................................................ 13
Figure 10: ODEX Energy efficiency indices by sector from 2000 to 2013 ............................................. 14
Figure 11: Total residential energy demand by fuel type from 2000 to 2013 ...................................... 18
Figure 12: Percentage of residential energy demand by fuel type: 2000 and 2013 ............................. 19
Figure 13: Energy consumption by types of end-use: 2000 and 2013 .................................................. 20
Figure 14: Variation households consumption for space heating - Austria - Mtoe (2000-2012) ......... 21
Figure 15: Development of total energy usage, energy usage for space heating and electricity usage
per dwelling (all climate corrected) in the residential sector from 2000 to 2013 ....................... 22
Figure 16: Passenger travel by transport modes .................................................................................. 24
Figure 17: Freight traffic by transport mode ......................................................................................... 25
Figure 18: Transport: energy consumption by mode 2000-2013 ......................................................... 26
Figure 19: Transport: Percentage of energy consumption by mode 2000 and 2013 ........................... 27
Figure 20: Road transport: Energy consumption by vehicle type ......................................................... 27
Figure 21: Road transport: Energy consumption by vehicle type and border trade 2000-20130 ........ 28
Figure 22: Energy intensity in transport from 2000 to 2013 ................................................................. 29
Figure 23: Variation transport consumption (2000-2012) .................................................................... 30
Figure 24: Energy consumption shares of branches of manufacturing: 2000 and 2013 ...................... 32
Figure 25: Energy consumption in manufacturing as well as in construction and mining: 2000 - 2013
...................................................................................................................................................... 33
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
4
Figure 26: Energy consumption in the branches of manufacturing: 200 - 2013................................... 34
Figure 27: Variation of industry energy consumption 2000–2007 ....................................................... 35
Figure 28: Variation of industry energy consumption 2008–2012 ....................................................... 35
List of tables
Table 1: Residential energy demand by fuel type: 2000 and 2013 ....................................................... 19
Table 2: Freight traffic by modes of transport: 1990, 2007 (peak year) and 2010 ............................... 25
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2013, Austria's final energy consumption amounted to 27.4 Mtoe – a 17.9% increase compared to
2000. The main drivers for the increase are a rise in final energy consumption in the industry sector
(+28.5%) and consumption in the transport sector (+26.5%) over this period. Final consumption also
rose in the residential sector (+7.2%). However, final consumption of households, which is adjusted
for climatic influences, remained stable in the period under review (-0.8%).
In 2013, the industry sector and the transport sector had an equal share of 32% in final energy
consumption, followed private household (24%), services (10%) and agriculture (2%).
In Austria fossil fuels are the main energy source: oil is number one with a share of 36% of gross
domestic consumption, followed by gas (21%) and coal (10%). The obligation to add more biofuels to
fossil fuels and the increased generation of district heating from biomass have resulted in a record
high use of renewable energy sources in Austria. Renewable energy sources account for 30% gross
domestic consumption, with solid biomass being the most important renewable energy source
(41%), followed by hydro power (36%). Other renewable energy sources include solar, wind,
geothermal energy, biogas and biofuels with a share lower than 5% each. Austria has adopted a
policy that rules out the use of nuclear energy in its energy mix. Electricity consumption continues to
rise. In 2013 final electricity consumption amounted to 61,547 GWh, an increase by 22.0% compared
with 2000.
The global economic and financial downturn in 2009 has drastically affected Austria too. In 2009, the
GDP in constant prices decreased by 3.8% compared to the previous year, while the value added of
industry in constant prices dropped by 11.5%. A significant decline was also recorded for the value
added of construction in constant prices (-9.5%). Production of crude steel fell by 25.4%, production
of cement decreased by 12.5% and production of paper by 10.6%. The reduction of traffic
performance of freight transport (tkm) of all transport modes (road, freight and river) was 15.0% in
2009 compared to the previous year.
The energy intensities (climate corrected) do not show very substantial changes in the period 20002013: Primary energy intensity fell by 6.2%, while final energy intensity decreased by 4.8%.
Overall energy efficiency (ODEX indicator) improved by 12.9% between 2000 and 2013. Most of the
efficiency improvements were achieved in the households (19.9%) and transport (13.1%) sectors.
Energy efficiency in the industry sector rose by 8.5%, and by 10.2% in the tertiary sector.
In general, it can be stated that improvements in energy efficiency have been partly offset or even
exceeded by higher levels of activity. For example, the transport performance of passenger transport
in cars (pkm) has risen by about 12.3%. The transport performance of freight transport (road + rail +
river) has increased by 23.2%. The stock of cars increased by 21.7% and freight traffic on road (tkm)
increased by 27.6% between 2000 and 2013. Thus, the enhanced engine technology of vehicles is
offset by an increase in transport performance and new technical features such as air conditioning.
Furthermore, the stock of permanently occupied dwellings (+14.2%), the average floor area of
dwellings (+9.9%) and the saturation rate of electrical household appliances (dish-washers: +38.2%,
dryers: +118%) counteract the positive effects of more efficient buildings.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
6
The Austrian government assumes that fuel tourism with vehicles from neighboring countries taking
advantage of the comparatively lower tax rate for transport fuels, accounts for much of this increase
in the transport sector. A study commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry,
Environment and Water Management has shown that net fuel tourism accounted for roughly 30% to
40% of total diesel and petrol sold in Austria in recent years.
1.
ECONOMIC AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY CONTEXT
1.1.
ECONOMIC CONTEXT
Chart 2.1 shows the long-term trends of the main macroeconomic indicators GDP, private
consumption and value added of industry.
In 2013, Austria’s GDP in current national currency amounted to 322.6 thousand million euros. The
average growth rate of the GDP has been 3.3% per year since 2000, with the years of highest growth
being 2007 (6.0%) and 2006 (5.3%). The average growth rate in the 1990s was considerably higher
with 4.6%.
In 2009, the global economy suffered shrinkage for the first time in many decades, caused by the
international financial crisis. The Austrian economy did not escape the downward trend and
experienced a negative growth rate of -2.0% in 2009. This was the only decrease in GDP in current
national currency in a year-on-year comparison since 1976. As a small open economy, Austria had
entered a recession caused primarily by falling exports, reflecting the collapse of world trade and
shrinking investment.
In 2010, the world economy had overcome the cyclical downturn. The Austrian economy, led by a
dynamic export growth, recovered modestly with a GDP growth rate of 2.8%. However, the fiscal
consolidation in the euro area and weak competitiveness of the southern European economies
began to weigh on aggregate demand since 2011.
A similar development as for the total economy was observed in the industry sector: Value added at
current market prices of industry increased by an average growth rate of around 2.4% per year in the
period 2000-2013. The record growth rate was recorded in 2007 with 7.2%. In 2009, industry had to
face a significant recession with a decrease of the value added at a rate of -6.2%. The collapse in the
prices for raw materials and weak demand for some time has depressed the general price level. In
2013, the value added has grown again at 10.1% compared to 2009. a. In the year 2011, growth
stood at 4.7%.
The private consumption of households (in current national currency) saw an average annual growth
of 3.2% per year in the period from 2000 to 2013. In the recession (2009), private consumption rose
by 0.9%.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
7
Figure 1: Macroeconomic development (ESVG 2010)
Source: Statistics Austria
350.000
GDP
300.000
Private consumption
Value added of industry
250.000
200.000
150.000
100.000
50.000
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
1.2.
TOTAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND INTENSITIES
Final energy consumption (climate corrected) rose by 17.9% in the period from 2000 to 2013. Figure
2 displays the steady growth trend until 2008. In the period 2000 – 2008 the mean annual growth of
total final consumption was 1.9%. In the recession year 2009, total final energy consumption
decreased by 3.9%. At 5.5%, the largest reduction for the year 2009 is observed for residential,
tertiary and agricultural consumption. An average annual growth rate for final consumption of 0.7%
is observed for the period 2010-2013.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
8
Figure 2: Final energy consumption by sector: 2000 – 2013. The figures for residential consumption
are adjusted for climatic influences.
Figure 3 displays the share of the different energy sources in 2000 and 2013 (final consumption
which is not climate corrected). Oil products decreased slightly, from 41.3% in 2000 to 36.3% in 2013.
The share of electricity in final consumption edged up from 18.8% in 2000 to 19.5% in 2013. The
share of natural gas decreased slightly from 17.2% to 16.7%. The drop of coal has continued with a
share of 4.4% of the final consumption in 2013 compared to 7.1% in 2000. The share of renewable
energy sources for final energy consumption (mainly wood) grew from 10.7% to 15.0%, whereas the
share of heat increased to reach 8.1% in 2013 compared to 4.9% in 2000.
Figure 3: Final energy consumption by energy: 2000 and 2013
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
9
The climate corrected primary energy intensity of the Austrian economy decreased during the period
from 2000 to 2013 by 6.2%, while the climate corrected final energy intensity decreased by 4.8% in
the same period. Both primary and final energy intensity fluctuated, reaching highs in 2005 and lows
in 2012 (see Fehler! Verweisquelle konnte nicht gefunden werden.).
In 2013, primary energy intensity amounted to 0.122 koe/EC00 and final energy intensity was
0.099 koe/EC00.
Figure 4: Index of primary and final energy intensity of the Austrian economy (climate corrected)
Source: ODYSSEE
It can be stated that structural changes did not significantly influence final energy intensity – the
development of both graphs is more or less parallel, with the exception of the recession years 2008
and 2009 (Fehler! Verweisquelle konnte nicht gefunden werden.).
It can be observed that between 2000 and 2003 Austria has been one of the countries developing a
more energy intensive structure. However, since 2005 energy intensity has shown a strong decrease,
a trend which was partly reverted in recent years.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
10
Figure 5: Final energy intensity (structural effect)
Source: ODYSSEE
Figure 6: Energy intensity in selected sectors from 2000 to 2013
Source: ODYSSEE
Energy intensity is measured differently in the various sectors. Energy consumption is related to the
value added of agriculture, industry and the services sector, while energy intensity for the transport
sector is measured by the ratio of final energy usage to total GDP. This means that energy intensity
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
11
for transport is underrepresented in comparison to the other sectors. Figure 6 shows that final
energy intensity in industry (at exchange rate) fluctuated and was higher (+9.2%) at the end of the
period observed compared to the beginning. The development of intensity in the transport sector
increased by 6.7% over the period under consideration. Intensity in the services sector strongly
decreased (-23.8) in the period under review while energy intensity of agriculture fluctuated but was
on a similar level in 2013 compared to 2000 (+0.6%).
The climate corrected primary energy intensity of the Austrian economy decreased during the period
from 2000 to 2013 by 6.2%, while the climate corrected final energy intensity decreased by 4.8% in
the same period. Both primary and final energy intensity fluctuated, reaching peaks in the year 2005
(see Figure 7).
Figure 7: Index of primary and final energy intensity of the Austrian economy (climate corrected)
Source: ODYSSEE
Energy intensity is measured differently in the various sectors. Energy consumption is related to the
value added of agriculture, industry and the services sector, while energy intensity for the transport
sector is measured by the ratio of final energy usage to total GDP. This means that energy intensity
for transport is underrepresented in comparison to the other sectors. Figure 8 shows that final
energy intensity in industry (at exchange rate) fluctuated and was higher (+9.2%) at the end of the
period observed compared to the beginning. The development of intensity in the transport sector
increased by 6.7% over the period under consideration. Intensity in the services sector strongly
decreased (-23.8) in the period under review while energy intensity of agriculture fluctuated but was
on a similar level in 2013 compared to 2000 (+0.6%).
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
12
Figure 8: Energy intensity in selected sectors from 2000 to 2013
Source: ODYSSEE
Energy efficiency indicators can be used to provide an overall perspective of energy efficiency trends
by sector. Such global indicators, which combine the trends of indicators by end-use or sub-sector,
are also called “aggregate bottom-up energy efficiency indicators”. They represent a better option to
evaluate energy efficiency trends at an aggregate level (e.g. overall economy, industry) than the
usual energy intensities, as they are adjusted for structural changes and other factors not related to
energy efficiency. The bottom-up approach used for the ODEX indicator first looks at the energy
efficiency achievements observed for the main types of energy end-use and appliances, and compiles
them into an aggregate bottom-up energy efficiency index (each end-use and appliance being
weighted based on their weight in total final consumption). It thus provides a substitute indicator to
energy intensities (industry and transport) or unit consumption (per dwelling or per square metre) to
describe the overall trends by sector.
As shown in Figure 9, the ODEX indicator for overall energy efficiency improved by 12.9% between
2000 and 2013, which is a mean annual improvement of 1.0%. Most of the efficiency improvements
were achieved in the households sector, which recorded an improvement by 19.9% within the period
from 2000 to 2013. Efficiency in the transport sector improved rather steadily by 13.1%. The ODEX
indicator for industry shows an overall progress by 8.5% in the period under review. However, most
of the improvement in industry efficiency was recorded in the years until 2008 with an annual
average of 1.0% improvement. In the years following the economic crisis, i.e. 2009-2013, the average
annual improvement was 0.2%.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
13
Figure 9: ODEX Energy efficiency indices by sector from 2000 to 2013
Source: ODYSSEE
1.3.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY POLICY BACKGROUND
Austria’s energy policy is simultaneously conducted at two levels, the federal level and level of
Austria’s nine federal provinces. The federal constitution allocates responsibilities either to the
federal level (e.g. taxation, metering and emergency supply) or to the joint federal and province level
(e.g. energy supply, energy conservation and subsidies). Energy policy is formulated and
implemented in close co-operation with the social partner organisations, which represent important
groups of society (employers, employees, agriculture).
The main energy policy making is taking place at the federal level in a number of government
ministries and institutions. The Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth is the main
government institution responsible for energy matters at the federal level. The Federal Ministry of
Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management is responsible for environmental
protection, including climate change and emissions from combustion. The Federal Ministry of
Transport, Innovation and Technology is responsible for transport policy and energy R&D. The
Federal Ministry of Finance is responsible for setting energy taxes.
At the regional level, the governments of the nine federal provinces have responsibility for policy
making, setting subsidy levels, and implementing regulatory control of energy companies.
The E-Control Commission is the federal regulator for electricity and gas in Austria. The E-Control
GmbH is a government-owned company providing advice on regulation to the commission. The
energy institute for Austrian businesses was initiated by the Austrian chamber of commerce and
established in 2008. The Austrian Energy Agency was established by the federal government and
states to promote clean energy use in Austria. Besides the Austrian Energy Agency, which acts as a
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
14
national energy agency, regional institutions performing the tasks of an energy agency exist in all
Austrian federal provinces. This corresponds to the important role the federal provinces play in
energy policy. In some federal provinces these institutions are incorporated into the administration,
in others energy agencies have been formed as legal bodies.
More than 40 Austrian organisations offer energy efficiency information services for consumers. The
most prominent of these is the Austrian Energy Agency. Many organisations are active only at the
state or municipal levels. Austrian utilities also run information campaigns to encourage responsible
energy use.
The most important and innovative nation-wide campaign is klimaaktiv, which is the Austrian
government’s climate change information and grant programme. The programme was established in
order to support the achievement of the Climate Change Strategy’s goals. It is overseen by the
Ministry of the Environment, and managed by the Austrian Energy Agency. The aim of the
programme is to support energy efficiency and increased use of renewables in all sectors of the
economy, through direct grant support and accompanying measures, such as information and advice.
The sub-programmes of klimaaktiv are designed to support the grant, regulation, and fiscal measures
foreseen in the climate strategy, to give targeted incentives for the use of climate impact-reducing
products. klimaaktiv is an innovative add-on to common instruments, introducing target-group
oriented programmes in the areas construction and living, mobility, company policies, electricity
saving and renewable energy sources. By following a systematic approach, klimaaktiv is determined
to effect a breakthrough in the use of climate-friendly technologies and services for increased
energy-efficiency and of renewable energy sources, as well as to accrue their market shares.
klima:aktiv programmes develop technological and organisational solutions able to compete on the
market, take care of innovative quality standards and promote training of all relevant groups.
Implementation of the klima:aktiv programmes must be accomplished within set time limits and
results in concrete measurable targets. The aim is to widely introduce energy efficient and climatefriendly technologies and services in the fields of construction and living, mobility, company policies,
electricity saving and renewable energy sources. The government provides approx. 7 million €/year
for the klimaaktiv programme.
In 2007, the Austrian governmen funded the Climate and Energy Fund (Klima und Energiefond –
KLIEN), which has since its inception delivered clearly visible impetuses for the Austrian Climate
Policy and the restructuring of the Austrian Energy System. The Climate and Energy Fund supports
R&D in renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as market demonstration and deployment.
Among the best known original programmes of the Fund include, among others the Model Region
Programme (Climate and Energy Model Regions, Electromobility Model Regions), the Model
Refurbishment Programme, the Smart Cities Initiative and the Austrian Climate Research Programme
(ACRP). The objective of the Fund is to help Austria reach its climate mitigation targets through the
funding of climate- and energy-related projects. It has an annual budget of around EUR 120 million.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
15
1.3.1. ENERGY EFFICIENCY TARGETS
The federal law on energy efficiency, passed in 2014 and in force until end of 2020, implements
Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and
repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC and the EU 2020 climate and energy package. The
law sets an energy consumption target for Austria of 1,050 PJ in the year 2020. This target
corresponds to final energy savings of 310 PJ compared to a ‘business as usual’ scenario. The target
shall be reached by implementation of the following measures (list not exhaustive):




Energy efficiency obligation system for energy suppliers: energy suppliers selling 25 GWh or
more to final customers in Austria have to set energy efficiency measures at their own company
or at their own or other final customers between 2015 and 2020. These energy efficiency
measures have to lead to energy savings of 0.6% of their energy sales in the previous year to final
customers in Austria.
Energy management in companies: companies > 249 employees have to (1) implement an energy
management system (according to ISO 16001 or ISO 50001) or an environmental management
system (according to ISO 14000) or (2) have to carry out an external energy audit every four
years;
Renovation of federal buildings: energy efficiency measures have to be implemented between
2014 and 2020 in buildings which are owned and used by the federal state, leading to savings of
48.2 GWh. This corresponds to a refurbishment rate of 3% per year. The savings target should
especially be achieved through (1) energy performance contracting, (2) measures related to
energy management and (3) refurbishment measures.
Quality standards: minimum criteria for energy auditors and energy service providers: qualified
people fulfilling the minimum criteria are listed in the registry for energy service providers.
The federal law on climate protection, passed in 2011, adapted in 2013, sets a maximum threshold
for greenhouse gas emissions for the period 2008 – 2012 and 2013 – 2020 on a yearly as well as
sectoral basis. It applies to the six sectors agriculture, buildings, energy and industry (excluding those
undertakings falling under the Emission Trading Scheme), fluorinated greenhouse gases, transport
and waste.
The law is an important pillar of the Austrian climate policy up to 2020 and aims at the development
of effective climate protection measures for the areas not covered by the Emission Trading Scheme.
The measures have to be developed in a negotiation process and shall focus on the following areas:








Increase of energy efficiency;
Increase of the share of renewables in final energy consumption;
Increase of energy efficiency in the building sector;
Consideration of climate protection aspects in spatial planning;
Mobility management;
Waste prevention;
Protection and expansion of carbon sinks;
Economic incentives to boost actions in the area of climate protection.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
16
The measures developed through the negotiation process have to be reported to the national
committee on climate protection. The committee is responsible for elaborating the principal issues of
the Austrian climate policy with a long-term perspective such as the development of climate
protection strategies as planning tool for allocating greenhouse gas emission thresholds to the six
sectors, the development of long-term scenarios to increase energy efficiency and the share of
renewable energy sources in final energy consumption and setting greenhouse gas reduction paths
leading to a low carbon society.
Austria developed the Energy Strategy for Austria which describes how the country wants to achieve
the climate and energy targets provided by the EU 2020 Climate & Energy Package in order to
contribute to the 20-20-20 targets of the European Union.
The targets for Austria for 2020 are as follows:




20% increase in energy efficiency;
34% share of renewable energy;
16% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in non-ETS sectors;
21% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in ETS sectors.
As a first step, Austria decided to stabilize its final energy consumption at the level of 2005, i.e. the
final energy consumption in 2020 shall not exceed 1.100 PJ. As a next step, a wide range of measures
were proposed to ensure meeting this energy consumption level.
The Energy Strategy for Austria was developed in a broad stakeholder process representing more
than 150 people from federal ministries, federal provinces, social partners, science, NGOs, business
and special interest groups. In early 2010, the Energy Strategy Austria was completed and notified to
the European Commission. In 2013, the progress of the implementation of the 42 agreed measures
was assessed. By the end of 2012, about half of the measures were implemented or under
implementation.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
17
ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN BUILDINGS
1.4.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TRENDS
The structure of residential energy consumption in Austria underwent a few changes between 2000
and 2013. Figure 10 shows the development of the different fuel types in absolute terms. The
corresponding figures are listed in Table 1.
.
Figure 10: Total residential energy demand by fuel type from 2000 to 2013
Source: Statistics Austria
Energy consumption in the residential sector (without climate corrections) amounted to 6.64 Mtoe in
2013, which was an increase by 7.1% compared to 2000 (6.20 Mtoe). A peak of energy consumption
of households was observed in 2013 (6.85 Mtoe).
The most significant trends in the period 2000-2013 are the increase in district heating by 118%, the
decrease in coal and coke consumption by 89% and the decrease in oil consumption by 30%. Wood
increased by 20%, while an increase by 18% can be observed for electricity. The consumption of
natural gas increased by 11% over the period under consideration.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
18
Table 1: Residential energy demand by fuel type: 2000 and 2013
Source: Statistics Austria
2000
2013
Change
2000-2013
Mtoe
Mtoe
%
Oil
1,73
1,22
-29,5%
Gas
1,13
1,25
+10,6%
Coal / coke
0,22
0,04
-81,8%
Electricity
1,23
1,45
+17,9%
District heating
0,45
0,98
+117,8%
Wood
1,43
1,71
+19,6%
Total
6,20
6,64
+7,1%
Consumption
The associated shares of the various fuel types in residential energy demand for the years 2000 and
2013 are displayed in Figure 11. Major changes include the decrease in the share of coal and coke (by
83%) and in the share of oil (-34%) as well as the increase in the share of district heating (+103%).
The shares of wood (+12%), electricity (+10%) and gas (+3%) show minor changes.
Figure 11: Percentage of residential energy demand by fuel type: 2000 and 2013
Source: Statistics Austria
Figure 12shows the change in the shares of different types of end-use in energy consumption in the
household sector between 2000 and 2013. The share of space heating (climate corrected), which is
by far the most important end use, fell from 76% in 2000 to 69% in 2013, mainly due to better
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
19
insulation. However, this effect is weakened by more dwellings, larger surface areas and higher room
temperatures (see xx). The share of electric appliances increased from 9% to 13% in the period under
consideration. In this context, the effect of the growing saturation rate of major household
appliances exceeds the effects of more efficient appliances by far. The share of consumption of water
heating rose from 11% to 14%. Energy consumption for air cooling is still very low in Austria
compared to other end uses, with a share of 0.1%.
Figure 12: Energy consumption by types of end-use: 2000 and 2013
Source: ODYSSEE
Figure 13 decomposes the variation of the households consumption for space heating in Austria for
the period 2000 to 2013. The observed variation is minimal, because the effects of higher energy
efficiency (e.g. insulation, heating systems) and heating behaviour is outweighed by climatic effects,
the higher number of occupied dwellings and the higher average floor area of dwellings.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
20
Figure 13: Variation households consumption for space heating - Austria - Mtoe (2000-2012)
Source: ODYSSEE
Figure 14 illustrates the development of residential energy usage, energy usage for space heating
and for electricity1 (all climate corrected) between 2000 and 2013. There is a reduction in total
energy usage per dwelling (-13%). Energy usage for space heating per dwelling decreased even more
(- 19%). The usage of space heating decreased due to improved thermal insulation standards, which
compensated for the increase in heated floor area. The total energy usage per dwelling amounts to
21,225 kWh in 2013, in 2000 the respective value has been 24,435 kWh (both climate corrected).
Electricity usage per dwelling increased from 4,498 kWh in 2000 to 4,554 kWh in 2013 (+ 1.3%).
1
Electricity consumption per dwelling has been calculated by dividing the total electricity
consumption within the residential sector by the number of dwellings. For this reason electricity
consumption in context with space heating is included in this graph, too.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
21
Figure 14: Development of total energy usage, energy usage for space heating and electricity usage
per dwelling (all climate corrected) in the residential sector from 2000 to 2013
Source: ODYSSEE
1.5.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY POLICIES
The building refurbishment programme, first implemented in 2009 and ongoing, aims at the thermal
refurbishment of residential and commercial buildings that were built more than 20 years ago.
Budget for granting subsidies is made available for the following measures:







Insulation of outer walls
Insulation of the upper ceiling and roof
Insulation of the lower ceiling and the basement floor
Refurbishment or replacement of windows and outer doors
Replacement of heating systems: installation of solar thermal plants, biomass boilers, heat
pumps, connection to the district heating grid or local heating grid (residential buildings only)
Installation of heat recovery systems (commercial buildings only)
Installation of shading systems (commercial buildings only)
A maximum of 30% of the investment cost can be covered by the subsidy; however, a maximum cap
is defined for each measure. The budget for 2015 was 80 mio. EUR for households and companies.
This sum was used up by August 2015.
According to the 1st NEEAP 2014, savings of 8,000 TJ are expected for the “Sanierungsscheck”
programme for 2020. For the provincial subsidy programmes, annual savings of 2,600 TJ are
expected.
A further investment subsidy is available for the new installation of wood-pellet and wood-chip
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
22
fired central heating systems as well as wood-burning fireplace inserts, replacing one or more
existing fossil fired boilers or electrical night storage heaters or electrical direct storage heaters.
The investment subsidy may also be granted when replacing biomass fired heating systems (installed
before 2001) with wood-pellet and wood-chip fired central heating systems or when the fuel demand
of the existing biomass fired heating system is reduced through the installation of wood-burning
fireplace inserts.
Investment subsidy for:



Wood-pellet and wood-chip fired central heating systems: 2,000 EUR
Replacement of old biomass fired heating systems: 800 EUR
Wood-burning fireplace inserts: 500 EUR
The use of biomass instead of fossil fuels is an important element to achieve the 20-20-20 targets of
the European Union. The budget for the year 2015 is 5 Mio. EUR.
Energy audits for households are offered either by dedicated institutions such as energy suppliers,
regional energy agencies or other information centres or by commercial consultants. A standardized
training as qualification for energy auditors is available in Austria: A-course (basic training), F-course
(advanced training).
Energy audits for households started already in the 1990s and have become more in demand over
the past years. The budget allocated to energy audits by institutions or commercial consultants is
unknown.
The effect of energy audits in households is difficult to assess. The maximum savings reported in
literature amount up to 20%. However, it needs to be noted that the savings achieved very much
depend on how the intervention in the households was designed and they can therefore not be
generalized.
Smart meters and informative billing were introduced in Austria on the basis of the Electricity
Industry and Organisation Act (EIWOG) adopted in 2010. In April 2012 the Austrian Ministry of
Economy has issued a decree which determines the mandatory timetable for the rollout of smart
metering services in Austria. This decree accelerates the rollout of smart meters. The electricity
network operators have to equip at least 95% of all metering points by the end of 2019. The main
rollout can be expected in 2016 and 2017. According to estimations of the regulatory authority,
about 300,000 electricity customers have already been equipped with smart meters.
According to the 1st NEEAP 2014, savings of 3,800 TJ are expected until 2020.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
23
2.
ENERGY EFFIENCY IN TRANSPORT
2.1.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TRENDS
Figure 15 illustrates that all means of transport have shown an upward trend since 2000. The
passenger kilometres travelled by car in Austria increased steadily in the period under consideration
(+12%), while rail travel increased three times at high (+36%), however at a lower level. Travel with
buses rose by 3%. Air travel (measured in numbers of passengers) skyrocketed in the period under
consideration (+69%). With a plus of 59%, the number of air passengers in particular increased
considerably in the first eight years of the period (2000 – 2008). However, in the recession year 2009
air transport decreased by 9% compared to the previous year. In comparison, the decrease of car,
bus and rail transport from 2008 to 2009 was less than 2%. By 2011, all transport modes reached or
exceeded the 2008 levels again.
Figure 15: Passenger travel by transport modes
Source: ODYSSEE
Figure 16 shows that freight traffic (measured in tkm) also recorded a large increase over the period
of 2000 to 2013. This trend is mainly driven by the growth of road freight transport (+28%), which
considerably exceeds the increase in rail freight traffic (+16%). River freight traffic decreased by 2%
at a significantly lower level compared to the other modes of freight transport. Overall, freight
transport increased by 23% in the period under review.
A peak is observed in the year 2007 for both freight traffic on roads and in trains. By 2007, freight
transport was 34% higher compared to the 2000 figure. In the two subsequent years marked by
economic crisis, freight traffic decreased by 16%. The largest effect of recession is observed for
freight transport in trains, which dropped by more one quarter (25%) between 2007 and 2009.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
24
Freight transport on roads decreased by 11% and freight transport on rivers by 23% within the two
years of recession. The respective figures are displayed in Table 2. In 2013, the last year of the period
under review, freight transport continued to show the long-term growth trend.
Figure 16: Freight traffic by transport mode
Source: ODYSSEE
Table 2: Freight traffic by modes of transport: 2000, 2007 (peak year) and 2013
Source: TU-Graz
2000
2007
(peak)
2013
Change
2000-2013
Change
2000-2007
Change
2007-2009
tkm
tkm
tkm
%
%
%
Road
38,380
51,421
48,959
27.6%
34.0%
-11.1%
Trains
15,281
21,371
17,759
16.2%
39.9%
-25.5%
River
2,444
2,597
2,406
-1.5%
6.3%
-22.9%
Total
56,105
75,389
69,123
23.2%
34.4%
-15.6%
Consumption
Figure 17 shows the development of energy consumption by the modes of transport. The energy
consumption of road (excluding border trade), air and water all increased by a similar level: 13% for
road as well as for water, 15% for air transport. Consumption of rail transport decreased by 25% in
the period under review.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
25
Figure 17: Transport: energy consumption by mode 2000-2013
Source: TU-Graz
Total energy consumption of the transport sector (excluding border trade) rose by 11% over the
period from 2000 to 2013. Road transport counts by far for the highest share with 86% in 2013 (see
Figure 18), a slight increase compared to 2000 (85%). The share of consumption of air transport
gained stable in this period (around 10.5%) while the share of rail transport decreased from 5% to
3%. The share of river transport stayed at the same level in the period under consideration. Air
transport takes account domestic consumption as well as consumption of international flights.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
26
Figure 18: Transport: Percentage of energy consumption by mode 2000 and 2013
Source: TU-Graz
Figure 19 shows the share of energy consumption for road transport vehicles for the year 2000 and
for the year 2013. While the share of energy consumption by cars slightly decreased in the period
under consideration (69% in 2000 and 66% in 2013), the share of trucks increased (from 20% in 2000
to 22% in 2013). The share of light duty vehicles, motorcycles and buses remained stable.
Figure 19: Road transport: Energy consumption by vehicle type
Source: TU-Graz
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
27
Figure 20 shows the effects of “fuel tourism”, i.e. the development of energy consumption of road
transport vehicles including the amount of border trade, which rose considerably in Austria in recent
years. Since the end of the 1990s an increasing discrepancy between total Austrian fuel sales and the
computed domestic fuel consumption has become apparent. Fuel is currently somewhat less
expensive in Austria than in some neighbouring countries (mainly due to lower excise duties). For this
reason, many foreigners cross the border just to purchase fuel at the closest filling station in Austria,
which means that to a great extent fuel is filled up in Austria and consumed abroad. This also applies
to truck drivers refuelling their truck in Austria when driving through to their final destination.
Freight traffic is by far the most contributing factor for fuel tourism. It is estimated that currently 40%
of the fuel purchased in Austria for road vehicles is due to fuel tourism, 95% of which is diesel, of
which 93% are used by heavy goods vehicles. This practice has a positive effect on the mineral oil tax
revenues for Austria; however, the relatively low tax rate encourages the use of individual motor
cars. Furthermore, the fuel export problem is relevant for climate policy, e.g. the Kyoto commitment,
because emissions are allocated according to national fuel sales. For this reason, GHG emissions from
fuel exports are assigned to Austria in total.
Energy consumption by border trade rose by 134% in the period 2000-2013. Energy consumption of
cars increased by 11% and the consumption of light vehicles by 17%. Consumption of trucks also rose
by 17% in the overall period under review, with a peak in 2007 which was 23% higher than 2000. In
2013, consumption of trucks was still 5% lower compared to the 2007 level. Consumption of
motorcycles increased by 57% and consumption of buses increased by 3% in the period 2000 to 2013
(both at a very low level).
Figure 20: Road transport: Energy consumption by vehicle type and border trade 2000-20130
Source: TU-Graz
Figure 21 shows the indices for energy intensity of transport and unit consumption of road goods
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
28
transport as well as unit consumption per car. The energy intensity index fluctuated, increasing until
2005 and decreasing since then in most of the years. In 2013 energy intensity of transport was 7%
higher than in 2000. Unit consumption of road goods transport (measured in koe/tkm) decreased by
11% and unit consumption per car (measured in toe/veh) decreased steadily in the observed period
and was 9% lower in 2013 than in 2000.
Figure 21: Energy intensity in transport from 2000 to 2013
Source: ODYSSEE
Figure 22 displays a decomposition analysis for the transport sector. The largest part of the variation
between 2000 and 2012 of the transport energy consumption can be explained by the influence of a
change in passenger traffic including air and traffic of goods (activity effect), followed by ‘other
effects’, i.e behavioral effects and "negative savings" in freight transport due to low capacity
utilization and technical energy savings (i.e. change in the efficiency of cars, trucks, airplanes etc).
Modal shift for land transport, i.e. change in the share of each transport mode in the total land
traffic, had no effect on the variation.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
29
Figure 22: Variation transport consumption (2000-2012)
Source: ODYSSEE
2.2.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY POLICIES
The General Transport plan for Austria, published in 2012, defines the targets and strategies of the
Austrian policy on transport up to 2025. It aims at creating a more social, safer, environmentally
friendlier and more efficient transport system through the implementation of measures in the field
of modern infrastructure, public transport, safety, planning and integration, technologies and
innovation, removal of barriers, environmental protection and resource efficiency as well as
international integration.
The establishment of an environmentally friendlier and more efficient transport system provides for
the reduction of CO2 emissions by 19% until 2025 compared to 2010 in this sector. The energy
consumption in this sector shall be reduced from 240 PJ to 210 PJ in 2025. To achieve these goals,
measures in the following areas are planned:







Electro mobility
Shifting transport to more sustainable modes
Cost transparency
Reduce traffic congestion
Noise control
Spatial planning
Motorized individual transport
The General Transport plan for Austria was published by the Federal Ministry of Transport,
Innovation and Technologies. The realization of its targets and strategies contained falls within the
competency of the different implementing bodies (federal state, provincial states, etc.).
The car registration tax was introduced in 1992 as a tax on the standardized fuel consumption of
vehicles (Normverbrauchsabgabe/NoVA). It has to be paid when a vehicle is registered for the first
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
30
time in Austria and is calculated as a percentage rate of the vehicle price.
In 2008, the car registration tax was amended in a way that a CO2-malus system was introduced
linking the tax burden to the fuel consumption and CO2-emissions of the vehicle. Amending the car
registration tax in that regard was meant to discourage drivers from buying cars with high CO2emissions/km.
The maximum percentage of car registration tax to be paid is 32% of the net purchasing prize. The
purchase of alternative fuel cars reduces the tax burden by up to 600 EUR (valid until the end of
2015).
The tax influenced the purchase of new vehicles shortly before and after its introduction. Shortly
before, the share of sales of cars with higher consumption increased, as buyers of small cars waited
for the introduction of the CO2-malus system. Shortly after, the share of cars with lower fuel
consumption correspondingly increased.
The Austrian Environmental Agency shows in its CO2-monitoring reports to what extent newly
purchased cars fall within a certain range of CO2-emissions: For cars emitting more than 160 g
CO2/km the percentage of cars bought dropped from 19% in 2010 to 12% in 2012. Further
comparisons are not possible, as the ranges were set differently for the following years.
The programme klimaaktiv mobil – Mobility management consulting and funding programmes – was
set up by Austria’s Environmental ministry supported by the Austrian Energy Agency, in 2005,
bundling all so called “soft” and “voluntary” measures in transport (“mobility management”), that
do not necessarily need to wait for legislation or specific administrative framework conditions.
In its comprehensive nation-wide and long term (2004 to at least 2020) approach and also in its
effects regarding the reduction of GHG emissions, klima:aktiv and especially klima:aktiv mobil seems
to be one-of-a-kind in Europe. The costs per year are about 2 to 3 Mio €, including thematic
programmes, public awareness raising campaigns and management.
With activities in five fields (MM consulting programmes, awareness & information campaigns,
financial support programmes, partnership & awards, advanced education & certification klima:aktiv
mobil targets all the issues raised in energy efficiency discussions in transport such as fuel-,
technology- and behavioural transitions, new business models for car use and ownership, electric
mobility and other alternative fuels and drivetrains, mobility management, urban and regional
planning, further education and empowering regarding sustainable transport issues etc.
klima:aktiv mobil set up:





Free-of-charge consulting programmes addressing specific target groups (companies, cites &
municipalities, real estate developers, schools & youth, tourism)
A financial support programme with 56,6 Mio € since 2007 for mobility management measures,
fleet conversions to low-carbon technologies, work travel plans etc.
An Ecodriving training programme with up to now 18,500 trainees and educating all novice
drivers in Austria in an efficient driving style
A broad awareness raising campaign
More then 1,500 klima:aktiv partners among the target groups as above implementing
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
31
sustainable transport measures.
The target of klima:aktiv mobil, set in the National climate Strategy, was to reduce 300,000 tons of
CO2 per year until 2009. With now more than 500,000 tons of CO2 emissions reduced every year, the
programme exceeded this goal and furthermore created or saved 4600 “green jobs” in transport and
induced “green” investments by companies and administrations 6 to 10 times higher as the funding.
klima:aktiv mobil is part of the klimaaktiv initiative for active climate protection and one of the
central strategies to make the transport sector more energy efficient and environmentally friend ly
by targeting all relevant stakeholders. “Soft measures” are bundled with fuel switching and modal
shift.
3.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN INDUSTRY
3.1.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TRENDS
Almost one half of the energy consumption of the manufacturing sector in Austria can be attributed
to two sectors: steel and paper industry. In 2013, steel industry has held its dominance as the largest
energy consuming branch of manufacturing with a share of 24%, which is slightly less than in 2000
(26%). The share of paper industry slightly decreased from 23% in 2000 to 21% in 2013. The share of
chemicals (13%) and the non-metallic minerals industry (mostly cement, including glass industry)
(11%) remained at the same level in 2000 and in 2013. Machinery increased from 6% in 2000 to 8% in
2013. However, the largest increase is observed for the share of wood industry which increased from
5% in 2000 to 8% in 2013.
Figure 23: Energy consumption shares of branches of manufacturing: 2000 and 2013
Source: ODYSSEE
Figure 24 shows the development of energy consumption in the manufacturing sector as well as in
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
32
construction and mining. Energy consumption of the manufacturing branches rose by 29%, while
consumption of construction increased by two thirds (66%). Energy consumption of mining, which
has a minor role in Austria, rose by 25% in the period under consideration. In 2013, the share of
manufacturing in total industry energy consumption was 92%. The share of construction was 6%
while mining accounted for 2% of industrial energy consumption. A decrease for all sectors can be
observed for the recession year 2009. However, this decrease was more than outweighed by a
substantial increase of energy consumption in manufacturing in the following year 2010.
Figure 24: Energy consumption in manufacturing as well as in construction and mining: 2000 - 2013
Source: ODYSSEE
Figure 25 illustrates the development of energy consumption in the manufacturing branches. The
most prominent increase within the period 2000 to 2013 is observed for wood industry (+128%),
followed by machinery (+68%) and other manufacturing (+49%). The only branch recording a
decrease of energy consumption is textiles (-35%).
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
33
Figure 25: Energy consumption in the branches of manufacturing: 200 – 2013
Source: ODYSSEE
Figure 26 and Figure 27 display a decomposition analysis for industry for the period 2000 to 2007 and
2008 to 2012 respectively, i.e. before and after the economic crisis. Before the crisis, the increase of
the industrial energy consumption is influenced mainly by changes in industrial activity (measured
with the value added), while there are very few structural changes recorded, i.e. the fact that
individual branches with different energy intensities are not growing at the same rate. In the period
following the economic crisis, structural effects are the main driver, followed by other effects (mainly
"negative" savings due to inefficient operations in industry) and changes in the value of production,
i.e. in the ratio value added over physical production (for steel, cement and paper) or production
index (for the other branch). In the latter period, activity effects have a minor role compared to the
other mentioned effects. Energy savings (calculated from changes in energy consumption per unit of
production at branch level) are significant before the crisis but negligible in the period since 2007.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
34
Figure 26: Variation of industry energy consumption 2000–2007
Source: ODYSSEE
Figure 27: Variation of industry energy consumption 2008–2012
Source: ODYSSEE
3.2.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY POLICIES
The obligation of energy consuming companies is based on the size of each company or corporate
group in accordance to the Energy Efficiency Act.
Large companies must in accordance with § 9 EEffG for the years 2015 to 2020 either (1) carry out an
external energy audit every four years, or (2) implement a management system (Energy
Management System, Environmental Management System or EMS or UMS equivalent, intranationally recognized management system), which must include an external or internal energy audit.
Persons who carry out these external or internal energy audits must meet certain qualification
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
35
standards. In addition, external auditors have to be listed in a public register.
Small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can consult an energy advice service and can report the
contents and findings to the National Energy Efficiency monitoring agency.
The obligation to provide evidence of energy efficiency measures for energy suppliers commits
each energy supplier in Austria, provided that it has exceeded the minimum sales limit of 25 GWh in
the previous year, to prove energy efficiency measures that meet 0.6 % of its previous energy sales
to end customers. The measures have to be implemented by the energy supplier itself, their own
customers or other end-use energy consumers.
It is crucial, that measures are taken to improve the input-output ratio (e.g. of an appliance or
process) and that those are directly attributable to the energy supplier via a credible verification.
However, this does not necessarily mean that an actual reduction of total energy consumption has to
be achieved. Thus, companies are not being forced to restrict their production, nor are suppliers
obliged to reduce their energy sales to end customers.
The energy supplier can set the measures in the following way:





set them itself
set them within the trade obligation of the energy efficiency law together with other suppliers
buy them from a third party
allocate them directly (direct award contracts)
call for tender
Alternatively, energy suppliers can also make a compensation payment with discharging effect, which
directly go to an investment fund. This fund sponsors substitute energy efficiency measures.
The compensatory amount is currently trading at EUR 0.20 / kWh and can be adapted by E-Control in
2016 by decree. All measures must be documented thoroughly.
The Environmental Support Programme ("Umweltfoerderung im Inland, UFI") is one of the most
important subsidies for companies with the emphasis on climate protection, energy saving,
renewable energies and prevention of air pollution. The basis of this subsidy is regulated in the
federal law "Umweltfoerdergesetz". The UFI incentive scheme is financed from the budget of the
Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water. The Kommunalkredit
Public Consulting GmbH is entrusted as a settlement agency with the practical development of
support programmes. Since 1993, KPC has managed the environmental support schemes of the
Federal Government.
Until the end of 2014, the funding under the UFI amounted to approx. € 90.000 million per year.
The subsidy programmes provide grants of up to 30 % of the investment costs. Multiple grants by
public (e.g. by the EU or by provincial governments) are also possible within the maximum limit of
the EU. There are grants for energy saving and efficiency measures, improving thermal insulation,
CHP, district heating and heat from renewable energies.
According to the 2nd NEEAP theoretical bottom-up savings of 2675 TJ are achieved in the year 2010
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
36
(including early actions). 5.578 TJ of savings are expected for the year 2016.
One of several Austrian klimaaktiv programmes within the Austrian Climate Strategy is the national
programme for energy efficiency in companies, which started in 2005 under the management of the
Austrian Energy Agency.
In order to find companies interested in reducing energy costs a wide base of marketing activities are
set :

Cooperation: The klimaaktiv management cooperates with market-partners for specific
technologies, e.g. compressed air, variable speed drives, pumps, fans, lighting systems, steam
systems and waste heat to answer the need of companies for very detailed and professional
support.

Information, Awards: Information on these advanced technologies are spread via newsletters
and trainings. Until April 2015, more than 550 consultants have been trained in using tools for
energy audits and about 200 companies have been awarded by the Minister of Environment for
implementing energy efficiency measures.

Energy Audit Guides: The technological approach of the programme has been dedicated to
motor driven systems so far: Since 2008 specific PR-materials, tools, and a training concept for
consultants for different technologies were developed: compressed air, pumps, fans, steam,
cooling systems, lighting, and waste heat. In 2015 the programme emphasises on the different
possibilities to meter energy and calculate energy savings. For all technologies the most relevant
saving measures are described for a very quick on-site evaluation. For the evaluation of all
measures, the necessary data to be collected are stipulated, and rough economic and technical
criteria are developed to decide if and how a specific technology component should be
improved. Furthermore, a standard report is developed. Consultants and energy managers are
trained with this tool and check their company or customers and provide their results to AEA.

Sector specific information and benchmarking: Sector specific information is developed within
the branch concepts. So far five concepts have been published. For this concepts information on
energy consumption and other relevant indicators are surveyed and energy performance
indicators are developed. This information forms also the basis for the „Benchmarking simple“
tool which comprises at the moment 11 branches with 52 sub-categories.
Energy Efficiency Trends and Policies in Austria
37